[asia-apec 563] URGENT APPEAL: Msians arrested in Burma (fwd)

[PAN Asia Pacific]

FORWARDED MAIL -------
From: wkpeng at pc.jaring.my (suaram)
Date: 11 Aug 98
Originally To: sttm at rocketmail.com

UPDATE: 
1. We have received information that governments of Philippines, Thai, US
and Australia have condemned the Burmese regime and have asked for
immediate release of their nationals, except for the Malaysian and
Indonesian government!) 

11th August 1998

MALAYSIAN ARRESTED IN BURMA

The Burmese military government on 7 August (Sunday) has detained three
Malaysians and 15 other human right activists on the 9th of August, 1998.
Most of the activists were arrested as they were leaving Yangoon after
attending the solidarity event to commemorate the anniversary of student
massacre in 1988.

The Malaysians detained are:

Jonson Chong    (staff of SUARAM)
Ong Ju Lin      (SUARAM member)
See Chee How    (member of SACCESS and Burma Solidarity Group            Malaysia)

The 18 detained activists went to Burma as part of the international effort
in solidarity with the democratic movement in Burma. Their entire
activities have been peaceful. The arrest again shows the total disregard
of human rights and international practice by the Burmese junta.

To date the military government has not announced any charges against the
detained activists. However there have been reports quoting Myanmar
military spokesperson saying that they should be tried in court to teach
them a lesson. Furthermore he had accused them of inciting bloodshed and
violence in Burma. 

According to information received by SUARAM, they are said to be detained
in a prison ‘guest house’ and have no access to familiy members or the
Malaysian embassies.

SUARAM met with Wisma Putra officials this afternoon and their present
stance is not to issue a formal statement until they investigate whether
the Malaysians have "broken any laws". We feel that this is a defeatist
stance as Wisma Putra can and should intervene as soon as possible to
secure their immediate and unconditional release. The foreign ministries of
Thailand and Philippines have already urged the Burmese government to
release their nationals - so should we. 

SUARAM urge all concerned organisations and individual to  
1)  send an appeal letter to call upon the Foreign Ministry of Malaysia to
take effective action to secure the release of all detainees; Mr. Arshad;
Ketua Setiausaha, Bahagian Asia Tenggara dan Pasific Selatan, Kementerian
Luar Negeri, Wisma Putra, 50602 KL; fax: 242 5125 / 242 4551 (cc. To Mr.
Ramlan Kimin, Ketua Penolong, Bahagian Asia Tenggara dan Pasific Selatan)
 
2)  A protest letter should also be sent to the Burmese Embassy in
Malaysia; Mr Kyaw Myunt Hman, Embassy of the Union of Myanmar,  10 Jalan
Menkuang, off Jalan Rhu, Ampang K.L. 55000; fax: 4568380
 
3)  Send letters of support to the families of Jonson, Ju Lin and Chee How
through SUARAM. 

PLEASE TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION! THEIR LIVES DEPENDS ON OUR PRESSURE ON THE
MALAYSIAN AND BURMESE GOVERNMENT!